The Merritt Centennials get set to face off against the Chilliwack Chiefs once again as the pod action is a little less frantic this week.
The Centennials made a valiant come back effort in the 3rd period, but it wasn’t enough as the Chiefs were able to hang on in a 3-2 game on Sunday night.
The first period saw the Cents have a decent output on net, but the Chiefs were the only ones who found the back of it. Luca Grabas scored his first in the BCHL after cashing in on a broken play in front. The puck deflected off a defender and right on to his stick and he quickly released upstairs to make it 1-0. The Cents fired 9 shots on net in the first but Dias stood tall the rest of the way stopping 13/14.
The middle frame saw the Chiefs add to their lead on the powerplay as Tanner Andrew was able to capitalize on a 5 on 3. Dias got caught looking over the wrong shoulder of the screen in front, and the puck came over the blocker side and in. Captain Kyle Penney of the Chiefs was able to make it 3-0 midway through the frame. The Cents started to turn it on towards the end of the period and drew a penalty to start the 3rd a man up.
Early on in the third Walker Erickson got smoked with a knee on knee hit, and the Chiefs were levelled a 5 minute major. Faced with another 5 on 3 in the pod season, the Cents were finally able to cash in as Jerzy Orchard fired a shot from the point top corner. Josh Olson got the Cents within one when he streaked down the right wing and fired a shot short side high and beat Gullmes to make it a 3-2 game. The Cents pressed for more offense towards the end of the game, but couldn’t find it and ended up falling by the 3-2 score.
The Chiefs have since played against the Prince George Spruce Kings and for the first time in pod season dropped a game to PG. Despite out shooting the Spruce Kings 31-22, the Chiefs couldn’t get the late goal to tie the game and surrendered an empty netter. The Chiefs got 2 goals from Tanner Andrew and a goal from Ethan Bowen, but couldn’t solve Jordan Fairlee enough – who continues to impress in pod season. The Chiefs will be looking to rebound at the hands of the Centennials tonight.
The Cents had a spirited outing against the Chiefs in their last game, but discipline remains to be a factor for the Cents. They lead the league with 80 PIMS in 6 games played, and need to do a better job of riding that fine line of playing physical and getting over aggressive. Scoring 1st also remains key for the Cents who managed to do so in their only win of pod season. So long as they can answer opponents scoring in a timely fashion, they have a chance to win.
The special teams battle sees the Chiefs with a slight edge over the Cents.
Powerplay: Penalty Kill:
MER – 14.8% (10th) MER – 77.8% (11th)
CHK – 16.1% (9th) CHK – 80% (9th)
The goaltending battle sees the Cents riding the Josh Dias train so far in pod season. He’s played the most minutes of any goaltender in the league at 331. Unfortunately he’s also allowed the most goals against with 21, but his numbers are starting to level out after the lopsided PG loss. He’s 1-4 with a .888 SV% and a 3.81 GAA.
Mathieu Caron returned to the crease against the Prince George Spuce Kings after Jacob Gullmes took the reigns against the Cents and picked up his first win in the BCHL. Caron is 3-2 with a .905 SV% and a 2.22 GAA. Gullmes is 1-0 with a .938 SV% and a 2.00 GAA.
Head Coach Derek Sweet-Coulter says the team is starting to play that Centennials brand of hockey.
The Cents are hoping they can pick up a brand new win after tonight.
Puck drop 5pm. Pregame 4:45 with Jared Thomas and Michael Reeve on BCHLTV.ca and Q101.ca.
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